Lexus chief executive Scott Thompson said the arrival of the UX range with affordable pricing would enable the luxury lifestyle brand to introduce an entirely new customer base to its "experience amazing" commitment.

“The UX delivers a fresh and contemporary appeal to young buyers seeking new and exciting experiences relevant to their lifestyles,” Mr Thompson said.

“For many of them, this will not only be their first Lexus vehicle, but also their first entry into the luxury segment,” he said.

UX 200 variants will be available at Lexus dealerships from late this month while the self-charging hybrid UX 250h variants are due to arrive in mid-January.

The UX is the first model to be built on the Lexus Global Architecture – C platform, which results in strong dynamic performance with its low centre of gravity, highly rigid body and suspension tuned for responsiveness, stability and ride comfort.